Here Comes Christmas

Now that Halloween is over, let the Christmas season begin.

We might only be in the month of November but, believe it or not, people are already preparing for Christmas. It's true. Some people are so busy planning for the next holiday that they forget to enjoy the current holiday.

My 3-year-old son was sad to see the Halloween decorations come down. This year he really got into the Halloween spirit. To take his mind off skeletons and ghosts and goblins, I've tried to get him excited about the Thanksgiving turkey. But everyone else is preparing him for Christmas, as if it were next week.

"What's Santa Claus going to bring you?" they ask him.

"It's the beginning of November," I tell these people.

They reply with a "bah, humbug." Then they tell me Christmas will be here before I know it and that I shouldn't let it sneak up on me. How can it sneak up on me if Christmas music is being piped through every store? TV stations are constantly advertising their holiday lineup. Eggnog is even on the shelves already. But I love eggnog, so I had to get a few dozen gallons.

Believe it or not, stores are already running out of their Christmas decoration stock. I know this fact because my mom complained about the lack of miniature Christmas village buildings at one of the craft stores near her home.

"You know that Halloween just ended, right?" I asked her.

"Mike, once Halloween ends, it's officially Christmastime. Didn't you know that?" she asked me.

No, I didn't know that.

If I remember correctly, my family and everyone else I knew during my childhood used to set up for Christmas two weeks before Dec. 25. Sometime between then and now, people began setting up for Christmas on the day after Halloween. In fact, on Halloween this year, I saw one of my neighbors with a Christmas tree in his driveway.

I wouldn't be surprised if--pardon me. I have some Christmas carolers outside. Let me acknowledge them for a moment.

I'm back. And I've got candy canes. I guess I'll stick them in my son's Halloween trick-or-treat bucket with the candy he hasn't even finished.

Why can't people let Halloween reside in their minds a bit longer? Why can't people give Thanksgiving its due? Why can't people just enjoy the current holiday?

Oh, who am I fooling with this phony gripe? I'm just as guilty as the next person of jumping into the Christmas season too early.

Look at me, I'm writing a Christmas column. And I'm not thinking about Thanksgiving or that silly turkey.

I've already asked my son what he wants for Christmas. You know what he told me? He said he's going to ask Santa Claus for Halloween decorations.

E-mail Michael Picarella at pic@theacorn.com.

Holiday home tour tickets on sale

Tickets are now available for the Wellness Community Valley/ Ventura 15th Anniversary Holiday Homes self-guided tour of four Conejo Valley homes, to be held on Sat. and Sun., Dec. 2 and 3.

Tour highlights include a new estate located on Roy Rogers' former ranch, a home recalling Christmas in Tuscany, a large collection of nutcrackers, Christmas décor from around the world and themed Christmas trees.

Homes will be open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. both days. They may be toured in any order throughout the weekend, and tickets, which cost $25 in advance and $30 at the door, can be used on both days.

Two of the homes are accessible by shuttle only. The last shuttle will leave at 4 p.m. both days from 1350 W. Potrero Road in Westlake Village.

The tour will also include the community's annual holiday boutique at Willow Elementary School, 29026 Laro Drive in Agoura Hills, featuring jewelry, home accessories and holiday items for sale. Twenty percent of the proceeds will benefit the Wellness Community Valley/ Ventura. The boutique is free to the public and may be attended without purchasing tour tickets. However, those with tour tickets will be eligible to win $100.

The event is the organization's largest fundraiser, with proceeds funding free programs for those fighting cancer.

Tickets are available at www.TwcVv.org and at the Décor Store in Simi Valley, Canfield Persons in Thousand Oaks and Westlake Village, DeForest's Patio in Woodland Hills, Zender's in Thousand Oaks and at the Wellness Community offices in Thousand Oaks.